Broncos’ No. 1 concern in 2010

Will the Broncos' season be upended with the injury to Ryan Clady? (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

The offensive line. Six months from now, it’s possible we’ll look back and say the Broncos’ season was doomed on a basketball court.

The serious left knee injury suffered by All Pro left tackle Ryan Clady in late-April is the primary question mark among several that accompany the offensive line heading into training camp. Besides Clady’s injury _ which is supposed to be healed in time for the Broncos’ regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Jacksonville but no earlier — the Broncos are also counting on right tackle Ryan Harris to heal from big toe surgery and veteran center Russ Hochstein to recover from major knee surgery.

Replacing Clady is Tyler Polumbus, the former Cherry Creek High School and University of Colorado standout who started eight games in place of Harris at right tackle last season. In Hochstein’s absense, the Broncos have been playing rookie J.D. Walton, a third-round draft pick out of Baylor, with the first-team offense. At left guard, the Broncos will start either rookie Zane Beadles, a second-round pick from Utah, or second-year player Seth Olsen, who essentially was redshirted as a rookie last season.

The only offensive line position without reason for worry is right guard, where Chris Kuper’s consistency was recently rewarded with a five-year contract extension.

The good news about the Broncos’ offensive front is it will be the beefiest in team history. All starters and projected backups will weigh at least 300 pounds. The quality of the collective beef, though, is worth monitoring.

Number One Concern is always Beer Sales; please keep that in mind. David Gleason, Evergreen, CO

KenPS

The fact that several of the Broncos' key offensive linemen are recovering from injuries makes me glad that Denver drafted three O-linemen in this year's draft. As Mike Klis posted, Russ Hochstein, All-Pro Ryan Clady, and Ryan Harris all had surgery and are waiting for training camp to start. That's why I liked Denver's draft picks of Zane Beadles and Eric Olsen this year. Also, from what I've heard and read about J.D. Walton, I'm impressed. As I posted elsewhere on the blog, I think J.D. will start at center this year. Like Russ, J.D. is a big, muscular guy with a mean streak. We absolutely need somebody like that after seeing how our interior offensive linemen got pushed around late in the season.

michaelpack

Ken, you are absolutely right! I think it should be encouraging to get the youngsters some good playing time. It leaves plenty of room to get better as the season progresses. I am still VERY concerned about the offense because of Orton's inability to stretch the field. It will really help if the running game comes together. I think that Kyle is too one dimentional…but we'll see!GO BRONCOS!!!

DLMyers

The OLine is the ? But the glass is half full because of the type players that are stepping in. First Ryan Harris was in OTA's and says he is ready. At LT until Ryan Clady is ready, is Tyler Polumbus who substituted for Ryan Harris at RT last year but is a natural LT. At Center is the top draftee who was NFL ready, JD Walton. And Zane Beadles at RG was the top versatile g/t in the draft. Bronco coaches spent time in Utah before the draft just to make sure Zane was their man.If the acl of Russ Hochstein's lingers then Seth Olsen should be a reliable bu.NAH, this fan is optimistic but tc will tell the tale.

Ashley

Personally, I liked the lighter offensive lines we've seen in the past. I think they're more versatile and quick on their feet. I'm well aware that beefier is better in the NFL, but the Broncos have had luck with a lighter, quicker O-Line in the past.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.